About

For the last 6 years, students from the University of Technology Eindhoven, have been researching ice as a building material. To reinforce the ice, fibers (wood or cellulose for instance) are added to make the material stronger and tougher: Pykrete. Together with our building method we increase the opportunities and capabilities of this sustainable building material.

Flamenco Tower 2018 renderings

Flamenco Tower 2018 renders

Because of our population growth and consumption, we will have to look for places to expand our territory. We tried to focus on the cold regions we can expand to:

The North pole: with parts of Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Greenland

The South pole

The third pole

And in the future maybe even on other planets like Mars

Together 12% of the land surface on earth is permanently covered in snow and ice. Therefor a building material like fiber-reinforced ice can be a solution for sustainable building in these areas.

Not only permanent cold areas (permafrost) are suitable for ice-buildings. Because of the efficient and cheap building method, temporarily buildings during winter are an option too. For instance for storage during winter. And when the building is abandoned, only natural components will remain.

Building site of the 2015 Sagrada in ice project

Building site of the 2015 Sagrada in ice project

To bring this material to the test, we already build 3 different projects.
Pykrete dome
Sagrada in ice
Bridge in ice
The projects are based on a shell structure, which can provide huge spans. The material is sprayed on an inflatable and forms a shell, layer by layer. After completion, the inflatable is removed, leaving a standalone ice structure.

Using only local components (water, wood and even soil) we can minimize the impact on the local environment.

Building site of the 2014 Pykrete dome project

Inside of the record holding worlds biggest ice dome of the 2014 Pykrete ice dome project

We want to show the world that ice can be a solid and sustainable building material. Therefor we want to build a new and even bigger project: the Flamenco tower in ice. This tower will have a height of 30 meters. We want to show the capabilities and possibility of fiber-reinforced ice.

By telling people our story, we want to inspire people. Building doesn't have to be expensive or have a great environmental impact. It can be easy, sustainable and still be of comfort.

Building site of the 2016 Bridge in ice project

For this goal we need to send a team of our students and volunteers to China. There, they will build the tower, and further research the material in a 24/7 schedule.

The money will be used to send our team of 10 students to China, and accommodate them on location. There they will voluntarily (non-profit) take part in this research.
Since the institutes can't fund us, we want to do it with and for the people. We want to build this tower together with you. Keeping you up-to-date and connected to our process and findings.

If we go over our pledged sum, we can involve even more people to improve our research.

Pykrete layers of a 2016 Bridge in ice sample

As mentioned earlier we will our keep our backers personally updated and connected. Of course we are open if you want to share your knowledge with us.

Next to exclusive wallpapers and blue prints, we also offer the possibility to receive your part of the tower in the end. After completing the tower, we will take samples of the original build, and will send them to you. So you can place your piece of the tower on your shelve, along with a photo of the project and a personal “thank you” note from our team.

2016 Bridge in ice group photo

Risks and challenges

So far we have gained a lot of experience doing the other structural ice projects. By solving problems on site, our students learned to adapt to different situations and learned to think outside the box.

Last winter we traveled with a small group of students to China to make preparations for the building of the tower. In China we are connected with the Harbin Institute of Technology (H.I.T.).

Also the material research of the last years has provides us with a lot of knowledge. Therefor we are confident that we can use our gained knowledge and experience to succeed this project.

Support

Select this reward

Pledge €9 or more
About $10

Wallpaper

Pledge €9 or more and our project photographer will send you an exclusive wallpaper he made during this project! So you can be reminded of your contribution to this project every time you open your computer / phone !

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €35 or more
About $40

Polaroid photo

Now we are really gaining airmiles! In return for your pledge we will send you a random polaroid photo! This can vary from the building site to a picture of our students eating their dinner. A truly unique item!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €50 or more
About $57

Message on cellulose

Ready, Set, Takeoff! You've really helped us into the air! In return we will send you a piece of cellulose, which is used in the pykrete mixture.
One of our students will write you a personal message on this piece of cellulose. A truly unique bookshelf-item!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €75 or more
About $85

Poster of the Towers blue prints

Screaming jet engines! Now we are really gaining momentum! In return our designer will create a poster of the Towers blue prints. After pinning this up on your wall your friends that come over will have to know the story!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €75 or more
About $85

Poster of the best Tower picture

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Harbin Airport. Local time is 17:35 and the temperature is very cold! Thank you so much! In return our photographer will pick his best photo of the project en turn it into a poster! A true eye-catcher of which everyone wants to know the story!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €120 or more
About $137

EARLY BIRD: Tower package

Early bird untill 9/21/2017

Now you're really part of the team! In return we will send you a care package of unique items.
Included in this package is the most unique item of them all! The Tower sample! At the end of the project we will drill out samples from the tower, package them and send them your way! So you can have your own part of the tower in your living room! We will even include a photo of the location where the sample was drilled out.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €170 or more
About $194

Tower package

Now you're really part of the team! In return we will send you a care package of unique items.
Included in this package is the most unique item of them all! The Tower sample! At the end of the project we will drill out samples from the tower, package them and send them your way! So you can have your own part of the tower in your living room! We will even include a photo of the location where the sample was drilled out.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €250 or more
About $285

Your logo or name on the sponsor wall

Wow! You've really supported a big chunk of our journey! To permanently associate your contribution with this project we will print your logo or name on the sponsor wall! This is a 20 meter wide banner containing all of the projects sponsors!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge €500 or more
About $570

A tour over the building site

You're really dedicated! We will give you a tour over the building site, A look inside of our research and development department and you can even work alongside the team for a shift! To create your own part of the tower!
You are allowed to take up to 4 people on this tour.